Q4: Emotional Learning and Children's Health
A:Poor social and emotional functioning can significantly and negatively affect biological processes, with short-term and long-term health consequences. Depression, anxiety, and lack of social support have been directly linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer, and impaired functioning of the immune system. Many of the elements important to SEL are also key to preventing high-risk behaviors, including drug use, violence, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, adolescent pregnancy and suicide. Because these high-risk behaviors share many of the same risk and protective factors, and can be addressed by similar prevention strategies, there is growing national support for a more comprehensive, coordinated, and efficient approach that prevents risk behaviors and promotes positive youth development. SEL learning provides a foundational framework for coordinating school-based prevention efforts.

SOURCES

• Emotionally Intelligent Parenting-an interview with Maurice Elias
  http://www.eqtoday.com/elias.html
• Resolving Conflict with Linda Lantieri http://www.eqtoday.com/jpclantieri.html
• The Center for Social & Emotional Education
  http://www.csee.net/sel/sel_faq.asp
• Stern, Robin. Social and Emotional Learning: What is it? How can we use it to help our children? http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/socialemotional.html